Downs Junior School
Brighton, BN1 6ED · Brighton and Hove · primary school
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12th of 42 primary schools in Brighton and Hove we can score, 47 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,905 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.5/10 among them, against 4.1/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 60.0 · 39 | 40% | 1.56 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 6.0 · 45 | 25% | 1.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Downs Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 60.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 6.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.5 out of 10 among them, against 4.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Downs Play, Chess, Scribblers, and Mega Choir clubs, or play football, dodgeball, and cricket. Year 6 students attend a residential trip to Marchants Hill, while others join Brighton Activity Week. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 495 pupils against a stated capacity of 512. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the national median in literacy and numeracy? What specific activities are included in Brighton Activity Week?
What Ofsted said about Downs Junior School
Overview
Downs Junior School is rated ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, maintaining high standards since its previous ‘Outstanding’ judgement. The report highlights an ‘inclusive culture and community spirit’ where pupils are ‘eager and ready to learn’ and feel safe within a nurturing environment. Leaders and staff are described as ‘happy and effusive’ in their praise for one another, reflecting strong internal relationships and effective management.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘broad’ and reflects ‘high expectations for all’, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) who ‘achieve well alongside their peers’.
- Mathematics teaching is ‘well established’, with regular training ensuring teachers help pupils ‘make connections between different topics and remember their learning’.
- Staff have successfully developed a ‘love of reading’, with fluent readers supporting less confident peers through the ‘reading crew’.
- Pupils demonstrate ‘excellent social skills’ and ‘strong, respectful, positive relationships’, with bullying being ‘rare and never tolerated’.
- Leaders ‘manage staff’s workload well’ and support them effectively, creating a positive working culture.
Areas to improve
- The school must address ‘inconsistencies’ in reading instruction to ensure all pupils learn to read ‘confidently and fluently as quickly as possible’.
- Staff need to use ‘appropriate checks’ to verify pupils’ knowledge before moving on, ensuring activities are ‘planned carefully enough’ to identify gaps and secure learning across the curriculum.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 59% |
| 2024/25 | 60% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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